Testamentary Wills
When people think about estate planning, they usually think about a last will and testament. A will outlines where your assets will go after you die. A will dictates who will care for your minor children. However, a will has weaknesses that can only be addressed by incorporating it into a comprehensive estate plan that also includes a Trust, Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directives.
At the law firm of Patterson, Hanna & Associates, our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience creating estate planning documents for people in Orange County. You can be confident that we can create a will that meets your needs.
Probate
Although a will directs what may happen to your estate upon your death, it may require that your loved ones go through the probate process to administer your estate.
Our attorneys recommend compensating for the weaknesses of wills by incorporating them into a comprehensive estate plan. We recommend pour-over wills that can be used in conjunction with trusts to see that your assets are passed on efficiently and effectively, without the necessity or probate.
Pour-Over Wills
When you have a revocable living trust, your assets will be placed in the name of the trust so they can be distributed by the trustee upon your death. In the event there are assets that, for one reason or another, do not get placed in the name of the trust, the pour-over will states that all assets up to $100,000 that are not currently part of the trust be placed in the name of the trust. Thus, avoiding probate administration of the will.
Start With a Free Consultation
To schedule a consultation with our California law firm, call us at 714-888-4834 or send us an e-mail.
